The women of Western New York are bringing attention to and fighting human trafficking

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Article By Emory White // EEW Magazine

Human trafficking is a huge problem in New York State and the women of Western New York are tackling the issue head-on this year.

The Annual Regional 2018 Trinity District Conference & Retreat, hosted by District Missionary Verdis O. Griffin on February 21-24, 2018, at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Buffalo, is educating and empowering Christians so they can fight the evils of forced labor, and sexual exploitation.

EEW Magazine President & CEO, Dianna Hobbs, is the keynote speaker for the kickoff night, Wednesday, February 21st at 7 pm. Admission is free.

“My heart was first pricked by the horrors of human trafficking several years ago. Being able to participate in an event to fight this evil is an answer to a prayer,” said Hobbs in a statement.

According to the Western District of New York Human Tracking Taskforce, over the past decade, the International Institute in Buffalo has worked with about 1,200 victims, ranging in age from 9 to 81.

With human trafficking cases on the rise in New York State now is a pivotal moment to broach the subject and mobilize the church.

In a 2012 EEW article discussing the horrors of human trafficking, Hobbs wrote, "By pleading the cause of the hopeless, setting the captive free, and giving a voice to the voiceless, I believe we tap into the heart and mission of Jesus."

The theme of this year’s conference is “MIA: Missions In Action, Advancing the Kingdom.”

The founder of the conference and retreat is hoping to introduce the mission mindset to local churches and implore them to impact the local mission field in addition to their foreign missions efforts.

The Trinity District is part of the Church of God In Christ in Buffalo. Dr. Robert J. Lowe is Superintendent.